Dr. David Joffe Botelho is currently the President of the Lisbon Jewish Community (CIL) after having served as Vice-President and member of the board in the past, as well as being the local Mohel. He was elected with an electoral program to Transform, Rejuvenate and Grow. Under his leadership, CIL has one of the youngest boards among Jewish Communities, is gender balanced and has become more active in national and international fora, social media and representing Portuguese Jewry to Government and national authorities.

Born in Lisbon, he matriculated in 1993 from King David Linksfield, South Africa, as Deputy Head Boy of Sachs House. He lived briefly in Zimbabwe where he cooperated with the Chevrah Kedisha before returning to Portugal to study medicine. He has both the experience of living in a large and active community in South Africa, as well as leading a small community in Europe that is growing in numbers and outreach, preparing for the challenges of the future.

During Medical school he was active in student activities having been part of the University Senate and Board of Representatives. In his faculty he was also on the directors council and in his final year was president of the students general assembly. He was also active in The Portuguese Union of Jewish Students and a member of praesidiam of the European Union of Jewish Students where he represented European Jewish students at the Council of Europe and the European Movement.

After completing his general internship, he joined the Portuguese Navy where he served as a Medical Officer (MO) for 13 years reaching the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was Head of Urology at the Naval Hospital, Coordinator of the Department of Medical Officers at the Naval College and Head of Primary Health Care at the Centre of Naval Medicine. He served on several ships and other units, having also completed the first circumnavigation of Africa in the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 where the force was actively involved in anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and combating international terrorism as part of Operation Active Endevour in the Mediterranean. He received several commendations and the medals of military merit and exemplary behaviour as well as a campaign medal for Somalia operations.

He is married to Chaya and the proud father of Sofia.